The Mons Genius

Summary: Genius June Merk is a sixth generation Martian. Her father George is trapped in a mine as Earthens invade Olympus Mons City. Can June cultivate her abilities to save him and her fellow Martians?

Chapter 1

The Mons Genius, by J.P. Osterman

From space, the carved-out
volcanic city of Olympus Mons is a beacon of beehive lights, hailing people
from Earth whom we Martians call Earthens. On the surface, our Olympus Mons City is a booming
mining metropolis run on Smart technology and holographic computer
capability. Craft launch-and-land from
Olympus Mons’ mega-base in timely leaps-and-dives of plasma flair as we and all
sorts of robotics transport people and goods through surface tunnels and
subterranean subways to other thriving colonies around Mars. By 2564, we Martians have maintained an
amiable spirit of trade and exchange of knowledge with the Earthens who
unfortunately have been gradually depleted many of Earth’s resources,
especially those rare elements they desperately need to build their portable
devices. Our relationship with the Earthens
is about to change...

“June, are ya there? June— I need you— listen, it’s important—”

My dad’s voice is coming in broken
from my bedroom processor, and I can hardly hear him in the great room where
I’m studying. “Coming, Dad, just a sec!”

“Clear up the white noise, Five
Hundred, ‘cause I can barely hear him,” I yell into our great room’s Smart processor,
a glowing bowl on our ceiling.

“Yes, June.” Five Hundred’s voice is wobbling with double echoes.

“June…out of time…now…need to talk…”

The transmission is better, and I
hear Dad’s distress. Over the date and
time on the pseudo-sundial display is
my holographic calculus equation I’ve been working on. It’s Wednesday, March 22, 2564, 12:31 p.m., Coordinated
Mars Time (MTC).

Dad’s not due to transition from
the OM-6 mine to the surface until one. My
breath catches in my throat. “Dad, why
are ya calling me from inside the mine?”
He’s never called me from
there when he has on his hulking miner suit, and I’ve received no auto-generated emergency icon from the
company.

“I’m trapped here…time June!”

“Save my equations, Five Hundred,”
I yell into the beehive processor.

Five Hundred stalls. “Damn!”

“Dad, the great room connection is
frozen. I’m running to the door hub so I
can save my work and switch zones.”

I can’t jeopardize losing this Birch and
Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture I’ve been working on. It’s the only remaining Millennium Prize
Problem from the original 21st century contest. The solution defines elliptic curves over the
rational numbers. If I win, Dad, my
stepmom Rona and I could all move to Earth
and off Olympus Mons City that everyone just calls, The Mons.

[End, Part I]

Write a Review
Did you enjoy my story? Please let me know what you think by leaving a review! Thanks,
J.P. Osterman

Jasmine Chow:
As I read this story, I was reminded some what of Terry Pratchett, especially some descriptions of politics and economics. The sci-fic setting is quite intriguing. Writing style is quite lovely and grew on me slowly. I was also slightly reminded of Mark Twain, especially his book A Connecticut Ya...

Steve Lang:
I thought this story was imaginative, and well thought out. I also think it was an original piece, and not a rehash of previous scifi stories I've read in the past.Thank you for the effort put into this tale, and I look forward to reading more of your work!

PaulSenkel:
If you like Arthur C. Clarke's Odyssey, especially The Final Odyssey, then you will probably also enjoy this book. I definitely did.It does, however, address a more adolescent public than the above-mentioned book.I enjoyed the story and finished it in a few days. The overall situation on earth an...

Tiffany Thomson:
This story is not something I would normally pick up and read but I'm so glad I did, I wasn't able to put it down and my husband was yelling at me at 3am to put it down and go to bed (just waited for him to doze back off before picking it back up) I really hope Natalie brings out another book eit...

MavisMcQueen:
"To Live Again" is a well crafted, highly engaging, heart vibrating tale surrounding our favorite Elven King. The author will keep you engrossed until the very end and by that time you will feel so strongly for Clara and the other characters that you will never want it to end...like ever. Thrandu...

MegaRogueLegend666:
I love this story so much. It's impossible to describe my excitement with each new chapter in words. The author has such a good writing style, very good descriptions of the fighting and character descriptions/emotions. the plot is also amazing! This fanfic could be a side anime show or novel ......

Prasino45:
Hi! I happen to see your updated chapter on FF.NET!It happened to be about you coming onto Inkitt with this story! I've been a fan for a while! I'm a scqualphie writer myself. I ship them HARD! Love this story! I'm gonna do a reread as you said you changed some things! Glad we both made the switc...

Roger A. Fauble:
Excellent read, the only thing not to like is that I could only read it at home on my computer. I'm a character reader, I get into the characters, their story, who/what they are. In this story characters are introduced and developed allowing you to really get into them. Next the story is develop...